Ohio State Trooper Training

Ohio State Troopers enforce traffic and criminal laws on the public roads of Ohio.  They are also responsible for law enforcement on state property.  In 2012, State Troopers in Ohio made 1,305 enforcement stops and assisted 940 motorists.  They investigated 143 crashes.  Here are the steps you need to go through to get hired and trained as a State Trooper in Ohio.

7 Steps to Become a State Trooper in Ohio:

1. Meet the Basic Qualifications
2. Submit your Applications
3. Pass Physical and Written Exams
4. Drug Test and Polygraph Examination
5. Background Check
6. Notification of Employment
7. Attend Trooper Academy for Training

Step 1. Meet the Basic Qualifications for Ohio Trooper Candidacy

To be considered for Ohio State Trooper jobs, you must meet certain requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be an Ohio resident.
  • This requirement could be waived during your application process.

• You must be 20-34 years old.
• You must have a valid drivers license
  • You must have an Ohio driver’s license before you enter the Academy

• You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• You must have excellent vision (Your uncorrected vision in each eye may not be worse than 20/125 and must correct to 20/20 vision.)
• You cannot have tattoos or body art that could be visible when you are wearing your uniform.

Step 2. Submit Your Applications

You must fill out six application forms before you can contact your recruiter.  They are:

• Applicant’s Release Form
• Physician’s Release Form
• Vision Specialist’s Report
• Measurement Chart
• Pre-employment Questionnaire
• Civil Service Application

Step 3. Pass Physical and Written Exams

If your application is approved by your recruiter, you will undergo the following exams.

You will take a three part fitness test that will test the following:

• Endurance:
  • You will have to run a complete 1.5 mile course while being timed.
    • Timing is based on the Aerobic Institute’s 30% percentile, based on your age and whether you are male or female.
      • Men (20-29):  13:08 minutes
      • Men (30+):  13:48 minutes
      • Women (20-29):  15:56 minutes
      • Women (30):  16:46 minutes
• Timed Push-ups:
  • You will be given one minute to do as many push-ups as you can.
    • Men (20-29):  26
    • Men (30+):  20
    • Women (20-29):  13
    • Women (30):  9
• Timed Sit-ups
  • Men (20-29):  36
  • Men (30+ ):  32
  • Women (20-29):  30
  • Women (30):  22

You will then take an 80 minute exam of 80 items that looks at:

• Written Comprehension
• Utilization of Information
• Decision Making

Step 4.  Drug Test and Polygraph Examination

After you have successfully completed the physical fitness and written examinations, you will undergo a urinalysis.  Then you will take a polygraph examination.

Step 5.  Background Check

Upon successful completion of the drug test and polygraph examination, you will go to the next step in becoming a State Trooper in Ohio.  The Ohio State Highway Patrol will conduct a background check on you to determine if you are suitable to be a State Trooper.  If you have been found to have done any of the following things, your application may be rejected:

• Recent illegal drug use, including steroids
• A pattern of abuse or sale of heroin, LSD, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, or PCP
• DUI within the past 5 years or more than one charge
• Being in the pretrial phase for any criminal charge except a traffic violation
• Having a driving record with 6 or more points
• Having plead Guilty or No Contest to aggravated vehicular homicide or assault
• Having been delinquent with child support for any reason except inability to pay
• Having committed criminal sexual acts
• Domestic violence conviction or related offense

Step 6.  Notification of Employment

The selection process normally takes two months.  If you are accepted, you will be notified in writing.

Step 7.  Attend Trooper Academy for Training

You will undergo an intensive 20 week training at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy.  You must wear appropriate clothing when you are the academy.  Business casual clothing is required.  The following types of courses are provided:

• Basic Peace Officer Training
• Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
• Crash Investigations
• Criminal Patrol/Drug Interdiction
• Electronic Speed Measuring Devices
• Field Sobriety Testing
• Firearms Training

The base pay for new recruits is $44,481.60 a year.  After ten years on the job, the base pay becomes $58,833.60.

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